Tape tensioning control assembly

ABSTRACT

A tension control and brake assembly maintains tension on a relatively thin, pliant lightweight filament, tape, or strip material. The assembly includes a material supply spool support having a braking surface thereon and a tension control member mounted for movement relative to the spool support and braking surface. A brake element is connected to the control member for movement therewith in one direction for spool braking engagement with the support braking surface and is disengageable therefrom upon movement of the control member in a second direction thereby regulating the tension applied to the withdrawn strip material. A spring is connected to bias the control member in its brake engaging direction. The strip material withdrawn from the supply spool initially passes through a first strip guide member mounted in spaced relation to the spool support and tension control member. The strip material is withdrawn in a direction corresponding to the brake releasing, tension regulating movement of the control member. The withdrawn strip material then passes through a second strip guide member on the tension control member and a third guide member mounted adjacent the second guide member. Consequently, the tension in the strip material is multiplied in its brake releasing application to the tension control member. A spring biased take-up engages the strip material intermediate the third guide member and a strip drawing roller. Thus, slack is taken up and tension maintained during decelerating and &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;stopping&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; overruns of the supply spool. Initial loads imposed on the strip material are absorbed during a subsequent &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;starting&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; period.

United States Patent 1191 Anderson et al.

[ Oct.'14, 1975 TAPE TENSIONING CONTROL ASSEMBLY [75] Inventors: Andrew W. Anderson, West .Caldwell; Martin E. Leszczynski,

Jersey City; Milan Mateyka, Union, all of NJ.

[73] Assignee: Scandia Packaging Machinery Company, Clifton, NJ.

[22] Filed: Apr. 18, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 462,057

Primary ExaminerLeonard D. Christian Attorney, Agent, or FirmNeil F. Markva [57] ABSTRACT A tension control and brake assembly maintains tension on a relatively thin, pliant lightweight filament, tape, or strip material. The assembly includes a material supply spool support having a braking surface thereon and a tension control member mounted for movement relative to the spool support and braking surface. A brake element is connected to the control member for movement therewith in one direction for spool braking engagement with the support braking surface and is disengageable therefrom upon movement of the control member in a second direction thereby regulating the tension applied to the withdrawn strip material. A spring is connected to bias the control member in its brake engaging direction. The strip material withdrawn from the supply spool initially passes through a first strip guide member mounted in spaced relation to the spool support and tension control member. The ,strip material is withdrawn in a direction corresponding to the brake releasing, tension regulating movement of the control member. The withdrawn strip material then passes through a second strip guide member on the tension control member and a third guide member mounted adjacent the second guide member. Consequently, the tension in the strip material is multiplied in its brake releasing application to the tension control member. A spring biased take-up engages the strip material intermediate the third guide member and a strip drawing roller. Thus, slack is taken up and tension maintained during decelerating and stopping overruns of the supply spool. Initial loads imposed on the strip material are absorbed during a subsequent starting period.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 4 U.S.- Patent 0a. 14, 1975 US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 2 of4 3,912,191

US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,912,191

w? i m U.S. Patent I 0a. 14, 1975 Shaet 4 of4 3,912,191

TAPE TENSIONING CONTROL ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a filament or tape dispensing apparatus having a tape tensioning control assembly. More particularly, the apparatus is used with a relatively thin, pliant, lightweight filament tape or strip material which is maintained within control tension limits under all operating and shutdown effecting conditions.

Precise tensioning control of high speed tape dispensing apparatus has been difficult to achieve where relatively thin, pliant, lightweight materials are being dispensedpsuch materials have a limited load capacity as applied to the associated tape tensioning or braking device. Any variations in applied tension may seriously impair the operation of the associated device or machine due to initial overrunning of the supply spool. This is particularly true when the draw roller of the associated machine is varied in speed or stopped. The resultant over supply or uncontrolled slack in the tape or filament reduces the efficiency of the associated machine. Thus, components of the machine are frequently jammed and the tape is ruptured due to subsequent impact loading during periods of draw roller acceleration such as during initial machine starting periods.

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION The primary object of this invention is to provide a tape or strip material feeding system adapted to maintain precisely any tension desired in a given tape, filament,- or strip material under:all operating and shutdown conditions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a filament, tape, or strip material dispensing apparatus of modular construction which is easily assembled. A further object of this invention is to provide a strip material dispensing apparatus that is adjustably mountable to achieve precise tensioning and takeup accommodation of a variety of different types of filaments, tapes, or strip materials and different machine feeding applications. 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These objects and further advantages are achieved by the tapedispensing apparatus as described herein. A tension control and brake assembly provides a mechanical advantage or multiplication of the brake releasing, tension controlling forces applied to a tension control member by the tensioned tape or filament. Thus, a finer, higher degree of control is permitted in the brake maintained tension.

Anotherfeatureof the invention includes a spring bias take-up element or couple imposing device which engages the tape to absorb initial start tensioning loads imposed upon the tape. The take-up element also eliminates any slack in the tape due to the initial overrun of the supply spool due to deceleration or stopping of the draw roller before the spool is decelerated or stopped by engagement of the several brake elements.

A further feature of the invention includes a plurality of support members which are adjustable and interchangeable to mount the spool support, tension control, guide and take-up elements in various arrangements with respect to each other-to meet the specific dimensional, directional and feed tension requirements of each machine. This feature of the invention provides precise tensioning requirements of a variety of different machine feeding applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view ofa tape threading pattern for an assembly made in accordance with this invention,

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of an assembly made in accordance with this invention,

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary partial sectional view of a slack take-up device made in accordance with this invention,

FIG. 4 is fragmentary partial sectional view ofa fixed adjustable mounting of guide pulleys upon parallel journal spindles,

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary partial sectional view of a control apparatus made in accordance with this invention,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the front side of an alternative adjustable mounting for an apparatus made in accordance with this invention, and

FIG. 7 is a perspective rear view of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS More specifically, reference being made to the drawings, the tensioning apparatus, generally designated 10, is adapted to feed a thin, pliant, lightweight filament, tape or strip material 12 from a supply spool 14 .to a draw roller 34 of an associated tape using machine 40. The supply spool 14 is mounted on a rotated support assembly 15. Tape 12 initially passes over guide pulleys l6 suitably journaled at l6' on a spindle 17 that is carried by the lower end of cross arm 18. Cross arm 18 is obliquely and adjustably mounted on the upper end of a support arm member 20. Tape 12 is then directed over guide pulley 22 journaled at 22 at the end of a spindle 23 which is mounted on the upper end of a tension sensing, brake relieving control arm 24. Control arm 24 is pivotally mounted for limited angular movement coaxially of the spool support assembly 15.

Tape 12 is directed over guide pulley 26 journaled at 26 at the end of a second spindle 27 which is mounted at the upper end of the cross arm 18. From the guide pulley 26, tape 12 is directed downwardly to pass through a slack take-up device.

The take-up device includes guide pulleys 28 and 32 which are journaled at 28' and 30, respectively, on spaced parallel spindles 29 and 30 mounted on opposite ends of cross arm 30. The cross arm 30 is pivotally mounted at the lower end of support arm 20 and is spring biased. As shown in FIG. 1, tape 12 engages opposite sides of the pulleys 28 and 32 when passing through the take-up device. Consequently, the pulleys 28 and 32 rotate in opposite directions. Tape 12 is drawn to feed roller 34 after passing over take-up pulley 32.

As best seen in FIG. 2, a first support member or I adaptor plate 36 is secured to frame member 40 by an adaptor plate 38. The frame member 40 is on an associa'ted machine which uses tape 12 such as to accomplish a'wrapping function. The lower end of support arm 20 is secured to plate 36 in spaced parallel relationship thereto by spaced bolts and dowels 42.

A spindle 44 of stepped diameter is secured to support arm at 46. Bearings 46' mounted on the opposite end of spindle 44 pivotally journal take-up arm 30. Spring 48 is torsionally interposed between collar 50 and take-up arm 30. Consequently, arm 30 which carries pulleys 28 and 32 is biased in a counterclockwise direction tending to take up any slack occurring in tape 12 as a result of reduced tension therein.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a stepped diameter shaft 54 is non-rotatably mounted by support plate 36 as shown. Two arms, 56 and 58, are adjustably secured to shaft 54 at 57 and 59, respectively in a flanking relationship to the hub portion 24 of the tension control arm 24. Hub 24' is journaled with respect to shaft 54 by spaced bearings 24".

A spool end supporting element 60 is rotatably mounted on bearing 62 located on shaft 54. Element 60 telescopically mounts the adjacent end of sleeve 66 at 64. The opposite end of sleeve 66 is rotatably mounted on bearing 68 at the distal unsupported end of spindle 54.

A second spool end supporting element 70 is slidably mounted and adjustably secured by the screw 72. Thus, element 70 cooperates with the opposite spool end supporting element 60 to accommodate tape supply spools 14 of various sizes and hub diameters.

A flanged brake drum 74 is secured to the face of the supporting element 60 adjacent the tension control arm 24. Brake drum 74 is engageable by a brake band element 76 having one end 78 pivotally connected to a stud 80 which is secured to control arm 24. The opposite end 82 of brake band element 76 is pivotally connected to a stud 84 carried by the outer end of the adjacent spindle mounted arm 58.

Spring 86 is disposed between stud 88 and stud 90 and urges the tension control lever in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, the brake band 76 tends to frictionally engage the annular braking surface of drum 74.

Tape guiding pulleys 16 and 26 are mounted in spaced relationship to the control arm pulley 22 in a direction opposite to the brake applying movement of pulley 22. Consequently, tape tension acting between these several pulleys tends to rotate the tension control arm 24 in a clockwise, brake releasing direction. Thus, the tape drawing tension is maintained at a desired operational level.

Referring now to the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the several components of the previously described embodiment are adjustably mounted on a laterally extending bar 36 to provide an opposite hand of tape delivery. Bar 136 is in turn adjustably supported above the machine frame 40 by an L-shaped support member 138 with an adaptor bracket 139 interposed therebetween.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION The tape tensioning control and pulley system of this invention provides a mechanical advantage or multiplication of the tape tension in its application to the tension control arm pulley. Thus, the system permits the use of brake components capable of substantially more precise tension control than provided by conventional prior art tensioning apparatus. As previously stated, the spring biased take-up device serves to accommodate any variations tending to increase or decrease tape tension during periods of acceleration or deceleration of tape delivery or draw such as normally occurs during starting and stopping periods. The control assembly also contributes to the stability and quality of tensioning control.

While the tape tensioning control assembly has been shown and described in detail. it is obvious that this invention is not to be considered as being limited to the exact form disclosed, and that changes in detail and construction may be made therein within the scope of the invention, without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of this invention, what is claimed is:

l. A tension control and brake assembly for maintaining tension on a relatively thin pliant strip material between a rotatively mounted supply spool and means for drawing the strip material from the spool and for braking the spool in response to a reduction of tension in the drawn material below a predetermined level, said assembly comprising:

a. a rotatively mounted spool support element having an annular braking surface thereon,

b. a tension control arm pivotally mounted coaxially of the spool support axis of rotation,

c. brake means including a brake element connected to said tension control arm and engageable with said annular braking surface upon pivotal movement of the control arm in a first direction to brake the spool support element,

d. said brake element tending to disengage said braking surface upon pivotal movement of the control arm in the opposite direction thereby regulating the tension of the withdrawn strip material,

e. biasing means connected to urge said arm in its brake engaging direction,

f. a first strip guiding means mounted on said control arm remotely from the pivotal mounting thereof,

g. a second strip guiding means mounted in spaced I relation to said first guiding means in a direction corresponding to the tension regulating opposite movement of the control arm, and

h. a third strip guiding means mounted in spaced relation to the first guiding means and in a direction opposite from the braking direction of control arm movement, v

i. said second guiding means being adapted to receive and guide an initial portion of the strip material withdrawn from the spool,

j. said first guiding means on the tension control arm being adapted to receive and guide the withdrawn strip material from the second guiding means,

k. said third guiding means being adapted to receive and guide the withdrawn strip material from said first guiding means for delivery to the strip drawing means whereby the tension applied to the strip material is multiplied in its brake releasing application to the first guiding means and tension control arm.

2. An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first strip guiding means includes a first pulley rotatively mounted on said control arm member,

said second strip guiding means includes a second pulley rotatively mounted in said spaced relation to the control arm member, and

said third strip guiding means includes a third pulley rotatively mounted in closely spaced relationship to said second pulley for independent rotation therebetween.

3. An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said third guiding means includes a take-up arm pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, guide means mounted at each end of the take-up arm, and takeup biasing means connected to rotate the take-up arm against the tension normally applied to the withdrawn strip material, 7

said guide means engaging said strip material on opposite sides thereof.

4. A tension control and brake assembly for maintaining tension on a relatively thin pliant strip material between a rotatively mounted supply spool and means for drawing the strip material from the spool and for braking the spool in response to a reduction of tension in the drawn material below a predetermined level, and said assembly comprising:

a. rotatively mounted spool support element having an annular braking surface thereon,

b. a tension control arm pivotally mounted coaxially of the spool support axis of rotation,

c. brake means including a brake element connected to said tension control arm and engageable with said annular braking surface upon pivotal movement of the control arm in a first direction to brake the spool support element,

(1. said brake element tending to disengage said braking surface upon pivotal movement of the control arm in the opposite direction thereby regulating the tension of the withdrawn strip material,

e. biasing means connected to urge said arm in its brake engaging direction,

f. a first strip guiding pulley means mounted on said control arm remotely from the pivotal mounting thereof,

g. a second strip guiding pulley means mounted in spaced relation to said first pulley means in a direction corresponding to the tension regulating opposite movement of the control arm,

h. said second pulley means being adapted to receive and guide an initial portion of the strip material withdrawn from the spool,

. said first pulley means on the tension control arm being adapted to receive and guide the withdrawn strip material from the second pulley means, and j. said second pulley means being adapted to receive and guide the withdrawn strip material from said first pulley means for delivery to the strip drawing means whereby the tension applied to the strip material is multiplied in its brake releasing application to the first pulley means and tension control arm. 5. A tension control and brake assembly for maintaining tension on a relatively thin pliant filament or the like between a rotatively mounted supply spool and means for drawing the filament from the spool and for braking the spool in response to a reduction of tension in the drawn filament below a predetermined level, said assembly comprising:

a. a rotatively mounted spool support element having braking surface thereon, b. a tension control member mounted for movement relative to the spool support braking surface, 0. brake means including a brake element connected to said tension control member and engageable with said braking surface to brake the spool support element upon movement of the control member in a first direction,

d. said brake element tending to disengage said braking surface upon movement of the control member in a second direction thereby regulating the tension of the withdrawn filament,

e. biasing means connected to urge said control member in its brake engaging first direction,

f. a first filament guiding means on said control member,

g. a second filament guiding means mounted in spaced relation to said first guiding means substantially in a direction corresponding to said second direction of movement of the control member, and

h. a third filament guiding means mounted in spaced relation to the first guiding means and in a direction opposite from the braking direction of the control member movement,

. said second guiding means being adapted to receive and guide an initial portion of the filament withdrawn from the spool,

j. said first guiding means on the tension control member being adapted to receive and guide the withdrawn filament from the second guiding means, and

k. said third guiding means being adapted to receive and guide the withdrawn filament for delivery to the filament drawing means whereby the tension applied to the filament is multiplied in its brake releasing application to the first guiding means and tension control member.

6. In a tension control and brake assembly for maintaining tension on a relatively thin pliant filament between a rotatively mounted supply spool and means for drawing the filament from the spool, the combination comprising:

a. means for braking the spool in response to a reduction of tension in the drawn filament below a predetermined level,

b. slack take-up means engageable with said tape intermediate the supply spool and drawing means,

c. said take-up means including a take-up arm pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, guide means mounted at each end of the take-up arm, and takeup biasing means connect to rotate the take-up arm against the tension normally applied to the withdrawn strip material,

d. said guide means engaging opposite sides of said strip material,

e. said brake means including a tension control member mounted for movement in a first direction to brake the supply spool and in a second direction to relieve the braking of the spool thereby regulating the tension of the withdrawn filament,

f. means for normally biasing said tension control member in its brake engaging first direction, and

g. means for guiding the tensioned filament intermediate the supply spool and drawing means,

h. said drawing means including a first guide pulley on said tension control member engageable with the tension filament intermediate at least two guide pulleys mounted in spaced relation to the first guide pulley in the brake relieving, tension regulating second direction,

i. whereby the filament tension applied to the tension control member guide pulley is multiplied in its brake relieving, tension regulating application to the control member in opposition to the brake engaging biasing means. 

1. A tension control and brake assembly for maintaining tension on a relatively thin pliant strip material between a rotatively mounted supply spool and means for drawing the strip material from the spool and for braking the spool in response to a reduction of tension in the drawn material below a predetermined level, said assembly comprising: a. a rotatively mounted spool support element having an annular braking surface thereon, b. a tension control arm pivotally mounted coaxially of the spool support axis of rotation, c. brake means including a brake element connected to said tension control arm and engageable with said annular braking surface upon pivotal movement of the control arm in a first direction to brake the spool support element, d. said brake element tending to disengage said braking surface upon pivotal movement of the control arm in the opposite direction thereby regulating the tension of the withdrawn strip material, e. biasing means connected to urge said arm in its brake engaging direction, f. a first strip guiding means mounted on said control arm remotely from the pivotal mounting thereof, g. a second strip guiding means mounted in spaced relation to said first guiding means in a direction corresponding to the tension regulating opposite movement of the control arm, and h. a third strip guiding means mounted in spaced relation to the first guiding means and in a direction opposite from the braking direction of control arm movement, i. said second guiding means being adapted to receive and guide an initial portion of the strip material withdrawn from the spool, j. said first guiding means on the tension control arm being adapted to receive and guide the withdrawn strip material from the second guiding means, k. said third guiding means being adapted to receive and guide the withdrawn strip material from said first guiding means for delivery to the strip drawing means whereby the tension applied to the strip material is multiplied in its brake releasing application to the first guiding means and tension control arm.
 2. An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first strip guiding means includes a first pulley rotatively mounted on said control arm member, said second strip guiding means includes a second pulley rotatively mounted in said spaced relation to the control arm member, and said third strip guiding means includes a third pulley rotatively mounted in closely spaced relationship to said second pulley for independent rotation therebetween.
 3. An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said third guiding means includes a take-up arm pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, guide means mounted at each end of the take-up arm, and take-up biasing means connected to rotate the take-up arm against the tension normally applied to the withdrawn strip material, said guide means engaging said strip material on opposite sides thereof.
 4. A tension control and brake assembly for maintaining tension on a relatively thin pliant strip material between a rotatively mounted supply spool and means for drawing the strip material from the spool and for braking the spool in response to a reduction of tension in the drawn material below a predetermined level, and said assembly comprising: a. rotatively mounted spool support element having an annular braking surface thereon, b. a tEnsion control arm pivotally mounted coaxially of the spool support axis of rotation, c. brake means including a brake element connected to said tension control arm and engageable with said annular braking surface upon pivotal movement of the control arm in a first direction to brake the spool support element, d. said brake element tending to disengage said braking surface upon pivotal movement of the control arm in the opposite direction thereby regulating the tension of the withdrawn strip material, e. biasing means connected to urge said arm in its brake engaging direction, f. a first strip guiding pulley means mounted on said control arm remotely from the pivotal mounting thereof, g. a second strip guiding pulley means mounted in spaced relation to said first pulley means in a direction corresponding to the tension regulating opposite movement of the control arm, h. said second pulley means being adapted to receive and guide an initial portion of the strip material withdrawn from the spool, i. said first pulley means on the tension control arm being adapted to receive and guide the withdrawn strip material from the second pulley means, and j. said second pulley means being adapted to receive and guide the withdrawn strip material from said first pulley means for delivery to the strip drawing means whereby the tension applied to the strip material is multiplied in its brake releasing application to the first pulley means and tension control arm.
 5. A tension control and brake assembly for maintaining tension on a relatively thin pliant filament or the like between a rotatively mounted supply spool and means for drawing the filament from the spool and for braking the spool in response to a reduction of tension in the drawn filament below a predetermined level, said assembly comprising: a. a rotatively mounted spool support element having braking surface thereon, b. a tension control member mounted for movement relative to the spool support braking surface, c. brake means including a brake element connected to said tension control member and engageable with said braking surface to brake the spool support element upon movement of the control member in a first direction, d. said brake element tending to disengage said braking surface upon movement of the control member in a second direction thereby regulating the tension of the withdrawn filament, e. biasing means connected to urge said control member in its brake engaging first direction, f. a first filament guiding means on said control member, g. a second filament guiding means mounted in spaced relation to said first guiding means substantially in a direction corresponding to said second direction of movement of the control member, and h. a third filament guiding means mounted in spaced relation to the first guiding means and in a direction opposite from the braking direction of the control member movement, i. said second guiding means being adapted to receive and guide an initial portion of the filament withdrawn from the spool, j. said first guiding means on the tension control member being adapted to receive and guide the withdrawn filament from the second guiding means, and k. said third guiding means being adapted to receive and guide the withdrawn filament for delivery to the filament drawing means whereby the tension applied to the filament is multiplied in its brake releasing application to the first guiding means and tension control member.
 6. In a tension control and brake assembly for maintaining tension on a relatively thin pliant filament between a rotatively mounted supply spool and means for drawing the filament from the spool, the combination comprising: a. means for braking the spool in response to a reduction of tension in the drawn filament below a predetermined level, b. slack take-up means engageable with said tape intermediate the supply spool and drawing means, c. said take-up means inCluding a take-up arm pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, guide means mounted at each end of the take-up arm, and take-up biasing means connect to rotate the take-up arm against the tension normally applied to the withdrawn strip material, d. said guide means engaging opposite sides of said strip material, e. said brake means including a tension control member mounted for movement in a first direction to brake the supply spool and in a second direction to relieve the braking of the spool thereby regulating the tension of the withdrawn filament, f. means for normally biasing said tension control member in its brake engaging first direction, and g. means for guiding the tensioned filament intermediate the supply spool and drawing means, h. said drawing means including a first guide pulley on said tension control member engageable with the tension filament intermediate at least two guide pulleys mounted in spaced relation to the first guide pulley in the brake relieving, tension regulating second direction, i. whereby the filament tension applied to the tension control member guide pulley is multiplied in its brake relieving, tension regulating application to the control member in opposition to the brake engaging biasing means. 